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Asian Chemical Connections

IMF New Study Highlights Critical Role Of Demographics

By John Richardson IT is fantastic news that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has highlighted ageing populations as a major drag on global growth in its latest World Economic Outlook update. The IMF warns that employment growth will decline in both advanced and emerging economies compared to the rates seen before the global financial crisis. […]

No “Breakthrough Year” For The US In 2014

By John Richardson PEOPLE who trade in oil, other commodities and equities don’t buy that many chemicals and polymers because, of course, relative to the US population as a whole, they number very few. Thus, the challenge for 2014, as President Obama talks about a “breakthrough year” for the US economy, is spreading the strength […]

Southeast Asia ‘s Economic Boom

By John Richardson SOUTHEAST (SEA) polyolefins demand grew by 15-20% last year in some of the region’s emerging countries, such as Indonesia, according to a source with a major global producer. Confidence is high as overseas money pours into super-hot property markets in Indonesia and Thailand. In Indonesia, property prices have risen by as much […]

New IMF Report Warns On China Investment

By John Richardson CHINA’S over-dependence on investment as a driver of growth has been highlighted in a new International Monetary Fund (IMF) report. Investment accelerated between 2007 and 2011 to counter the effects of the global financial crisis, according to this Reuters report on the IMF study. “Depending on precise assumptions, over this period, China […]

The Suspension Has Gone

By John Richardson WHAT a week it’s been when, of course, politics has trumped everything else and has challenged the view of those who believe that demand will take care of itself. Demand did take care of itself during the Supercycle, but that is now over for good. China no longer has the comfort blanket of […]

“Good News” Over China Bank Lending

By John Richardson CHINA’S new local currency lending rose to 703.9 billion Yuan ($111 billion) last month, way ahead of July’s 540.1 billion Yuan. If a you are trader in the Dalian Commodity Exchange’s futures contract in linear-low density (LLDPE) you can take this ostensibly encouraging number, and premier Wen Jiabao’s speech earlier this week about […]

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